Kathleen Harper, FACC, FACP
Cardiologist | Cardiovascular Disease
1 Va Ctr Augusta ME, 04330About
Dr. Kathleen Harper, a distinguished cardiologist with over three decades of experience, is the Chief of Cardiology at Togus VA Medical Center in Maine. Throughout her career, Dr. Harper has championed women's heart health, emphasizing prevention and promoting a healthy lifestyle. She served as the Director of the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic at St. Vincent's Medical Center and Director of the Women at Heart Club, instilling heart disease prevention in her patients. She has authored numerous publications and held leadership roles at esteemed medical institutions. Dr. Harper is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Echocardiography, Nuclear Medicine, Vascular Medicine, and Integrative and Holistic Medicine. She is a proud member of several medical associations and has earned accolades for her professional excellence, including Teacher of the Year. In her leisure time, she enjoys the art of photography.
Kathleen Harper, FACC, FACP's Videos
Education and Training
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree 1987
Board Certification
American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine
American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine - Cardiovascular Disease
National Board of Echocardiography – Echocardiology
American Board of Nuclear Medicine - Nuclear Medicine
Provider Details
Kathleen Harper, FACC, FACP's Expert Contributions
Blood pressure arm difference?
You should discuss this with your doctor and confirm in the office as you may have a reason for different blood pressures such as a narrowing of blood flow through the subclavian artery to the arm. As for stopping all meds because you had a heart attack, your system may need additional support that you are not able to fully provide through supplements. READ MORE
How long can you live with an ICD implant?
Many people live with an AICD their entire life. Sometimes with wires or generator needs to be changed. The reason for the ICD implant, i.e., heart damage or arrhythmia, can limit longevity and not the device. READ MORE
Is the damage from a heart attack permanent?
It depends on the location. Some heart attacks do permanent damage, others are treated or caught early enough with treatment to have NO detectable damage. READ MORE
What are the side effects after a heart attack?
If caught early no lasting side effects just the challenge of getting BP, cholesterol, stress and weight under the best balance to limit future events READ MORE
What are the best foods to eat for high blood pressure?
You need to discuss with your doctor in general if you look up the DASH diet this has been formulated to guide you in the right direction..if you have kidney dysfunction the diet needs to be modified in regards to potassium READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Chief of Cardiology Togus VA Medical Center - VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, Maine -
- Director of Mayo Cardiology Owner of Cardiology Physicians PC 1999 - 2013
- Physician St. Vincent’s Medical Center 1999 - 2013
- Director of Non Invasive Cardiology St. Vincent’s Health Services in Bridgeport, Connecticut 1995 - 2013
Professional Memberships
- American Osteopathic Association
- American Society of Heart Failure
- American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
- American Society of Echocardiography
- The American College of Physicians
- The American College of Cardiology
- Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC)
- Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP)
Fellowships
- St. Vincent’s Medical Center Cardiovascular Disease 1992
- St. Vincent’s Medical Center Non-invasive Cardiology 1993
Internships
- Human Medical Center1988Internal Medicine
Fellowships
- St. Vincents Medical Center1992Cardiovascular Disease / St. Vincents Medical Center1993Non-invasive Cardiology
Professional Society Memberships
- American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, The American College of Physicians, The American College of Cardiology, American Society of Echocardiography, American Osteopathic Association, American Society of Heart Failure
Philanthropic Initiatives
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Media Releases
Get to know Cardiologist Dr. Kathleen Harper, who serves patients in Augusta, Maine.
Dr. Harper is a highly trained cardiologist serving as the Chief of Cardiology at Togus VA Medical Center – VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, Maine. Over the course of her career, she revealed a particular interest in all facets of women’s heart health, including prevention of cardiac problems and heart failure.
Locally, she is affiliated with Central Maine Medical Center, Rumford Hospital, Northern Light Mayo Hospital, Northern Light Inland Hospital, and Millinocket Regional Hospital.
A Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), she is a distinguished member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American Society of Heart Failure, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, and the American Society of Echocardiography.
Throughout her academic career, Dr. Harper earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1987. She then went on to perform her internship at Human Medical Center, her residency in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, her fellowship in cardiology at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, and an additional fellowship in non-invasive cardiology at Baystate Medical Center.
Prior to her current endeavors, she served as the Director of Mayo Cardiology, the Owner of Cardiology Physicians PC (1999-2013), a Physician at St. Vincent’s Medical Center (1999-2013), and the Director of Noninvasive Cardiology at St. Vincent’s Health Services in Bridgeport, Connecticut (1995 – 2013).
Helping patients maintain a heart-healthy life, Dr. Harper is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine (AOBIM). The AOBIM is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease in adults.
Furthermore, she is board-certified in echocardiology through the National Board of Echocardiography, and in nuclear medicine through the American Board of Nuclear Medicine.
Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the disorders of the heart, as well as some parts of the circulatory system. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and electrophysiology. Cardiologists are doctors who diagnose, assess, and treat patients with diseases and defects of the heart and blood vessels (the cardiovascular system).
Recognized for her exceptional performance in the field of non-invasive cardiology, Dr. Harper credits her success to her uncompromising perseverance. She dedicates her free time to photography.
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